On the latest episode of Paul George’s podcast, Podcast P with Paul George, the Los Angeles Clippers forward was asked about talented players that didn’t get seen during their time in the NBA.
George brought up former Cyclone Deonte Burton.
“My time in Oklahoma City, there was a kid named Deonte Burton,” George said. “You probably don’t know who he is, but like, I used to ask, ‘Why we don’t play him?’ I swear, (because) he played some games when guys went down, like they’ll plug him in in garbage time. They’ll plug him in in spurt moments.
“But I used to see him in practice… He was like Zion before Zion. Like he had that physique – more muscular, though. Jump out the gym, strong as an ox, and will lock your ass up.”
Burton played with George while the pair were each in Oklahoma City with the Thunder.
His last time in the NBA was with Sacramento in 2022 and 2023, where he bounced in between the NBA and G-League organizations.
“That’s just how the NBA is,” George said. “You don’t get a chance, you kinda assed out, you know what I mean? It’s hard to get into this game. If you don’t get a chance to get into this game, people just won’t see how good you are.”
Burton is now playing professionally in Puerto Rico with Mets de Guaynabo in Baloncesto Superior Nacional. The full clip can be seen below.
“He was Zion before Zion.”
PG shows love to Deonte Burton and all those who never quite had the right opportunity to showcase themselves pic.twitter.com/OTQjVGI0ev
— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) June 23, 2024
